CASPER, Wyo. – The weeklong College National Finals Rodeo wrapped up last night at the Ford Wyoming Center as three University of Tennessee at Martin contestants participated in the 76th annual edition of the event which featured the best of the best in collegiate rodeo.
Junior Leah Pitts got the championship event kicked off for the Skyhawks as she took part in the breakaway roping event. The Gallatin, Tenn. native ran into some tough luck in her debut during the Sunday matinee as she was one of 20 cowgirls to not record a score. She returned to the arena on Tuesday during the slack portion and again faced some unfortunate luck as she was one of 17 participants to post a no-score. The tough luck extended into her third and final effort during Thursday’s performance round as she was one of 18 cowgirls to not come away with a score. Overall, she tied for 57th place in the event.
Clint Southworth made his CNFR debut in tie down roping during Monday’s slack round as the senior out of Bagdad, Ky. was one of 15 cowboys to come away with a no-score. He resumed action in Tuesday’s slack round but unfortunately more unfortunate luck awaited as he was one of 10 participants who did not record a score. He bounced back for his third chance in Friday’s performance round, earning a time of 12.6 seconds which ranked 20th in the field for that go. When the final scores were tallied, his 12.6 was good enough to finish 35th in the standings.
A senior from Fayetteville, Tenn., Madde Shelton generated scores in all three phases of the barrel racing event. She began with a time of 15.18 seconds during Monday’s slack round, coming in 40th place in that go. Her next opportunity occurred in Tuesday’s slack round as she improved her time to 14.71, ranking 38th in the field. Her final race took place on Tuesday evening during the performance round as her time of 14.86 seconds wound up finishing 41st in that go. Overall, her 44.75 average ranked 36th nationally in the event.
The 2024 CNFR concludes Year Two of the Chase Thrasher Era at UT Martin as the head coach oversaw six top-three finishes by the Skyhawk women’s squad, including first-place efforts at Murray State (Nov. 16-18) and at Arkansas-Monticello (April 18-20). The 56th Annual UT Martin Spring College Rodeo, held on April 11-13, also won Ozark Region Rodeo of the Year accolades.
